The Leisurely Gentlemen, The Jacks, Harlequin, White Cloud and Gunfire.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 17th April 2009.

First to greet us and making their Level 2 debut are Peterborough's 'WHITE CLOUD AND GUN FIRE'. They are made up of Evey Veregaal (vocals), Woodsy (bass and backing vocals) Ben (guitar) and Lewis (drums). Front women Evey is very sweet but oh so tiny, four foot nothing but her delivery is mighty and powerful. They have a slightly No Doubt feel about them but she tells me afterwards that she has a great love and respect for Sonic Boom 6 (who also have a diminutive singer!). 'Satellite' comes alive quickly and dramatically. The twin vocal combinations on Roof Rack also get a satisfied nod of approval.

Returning from Oxfordshire are all girl rockers 'HARLEQUIN'. They again equip themselves very well. 'Don't Mix the Used' may be new but already it is delivered in a strong venomous manner. A contrast is to be found with the hauntingly melodic 'Hit Me' with a lush and tight guitar into to 'Fighting Fire with Fire', which is also their myspace offering at present. Harlequin for their young ages have a polished and striking stage presence together with a feisty and moody attitude which combines well.

Northampton's 'THE JACKS' perform a collection set of nine songs full of pure pop perfection. Employing immaculate attention to detail the quartet unveil a set that simply purred, combining a wistful lyrical content with a searing edge to their strutting guitars which keep things so upbeat. 'Lesser Man' is invigorating and perhaps my favourite but is such hard call to make. The debut single name 'Not Me Not You' is very Franz 'Take Me Out' and contains what the lads admit to is a spot for the same serious dancing. The front man is cheerful and witting and with his dark framed spectacles bares a canny resemblance to a youthful Morrissey, an enjoyable set of which hopefully they were proud of as they travelled back along the A428.

I rather struggled to keep interested with the musical pursuits of headliners the LEISURELY GENTLEMEN; Brighton based, they brought terrific support many people travelled from afar. I did hear Birmingham being mentioned as well as bands home town, all too cheer them on. Nothing really stood out from the set as they played songs from their debut EP titled 'You Should Know Better'. Exciting ideas I felt eluded this English pop based band. This however, matter nota jot to their adoring fans who loudly roared for an encore and were rewarded rather bizarrely with a cover of Slades' 'Come on Feel The Noise', which rather summed up this hard to fathom out Band.